Crush Friday - Best Breweries for a Blue Ridge Friday

A gorgeous Friday is the toughest day to concentrate and perform your duties at work, so why try? Instead, cash in a vacation day and head to the best breweries for a Blue Ridge Friday. You’ll want to bring a few friends for this tasting adventure, and probably an overnight bag, too.

Arrange a craft beer tour with Tour Roanoke and its hop-on hop-off brewery tour to check out multiple local spots in one evening while you leave the driving to someone else.

This west coast brewery fell in love with Virginia’s Blue Ridge and launched their first East Coast location in June 2017. Ballast Point Brewing Company of San Diego, California has built one of the most beautiful craft breweries and kitchens we’ve ever seen. Their tasting room features 128 taps and there’s a variety of dining seating for about 200 people. The patio with fire pit and sweeping views is one of our favorite spots. If you’re a brewery lingerer rather than a brewery hopper, you may find yourself at Ballast Point for the day. And that would be okay.

Nearly two years ago the west coast swung to the east with popular Bend, Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery selecting Roanoke as the future home of their East Coast production facility. While the actual brewery is still a year or more away from becoming a reality, the Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room introduces craft beer lovers to the flavors and vibe of what’s to come. Conveniently located on Market Street in downtown Roanoke, it’s walkable to dining, shopping, and museums. There are also 15 taps to choose from, so perhaps try a flight to see what suits your fancy.

Bringing a wide variety of craft beer to downtown Roanoke since 2014, Big Lick offers the area’s largest beer garden, which sounds like a great place to be on a beautiful Friday in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. Choose a site-brewed craft beer to enjoy and perhaps another for your growler to go? Nearby restaurants deliver, so kick back or pull up a stool for a while.

Charlottesville’s Starr Hill Brewery has launched a pilot brewery, tasting room, and live music stage at the base of Mill Mountain. This facility will offer many of Starr Hill’s most acclaimed brews and also craft new brews in their custom five barrel system. Food trucks bring the tastes and hot new artists bring the tunes. All that’s missing is you!

Parkway is a favorite destination and meet-up place for those who love the Roanoke Valley Greenway and other nearby trails. Just steps away from outdoor opportunities, it’s a great spot for unwinding with a post-run beer and food truck delights. Choose from 11 taps to enjoy on the patio.

Tucked into the shadow of Cahas Mountain is Chaos Mountain Brewing, a husband and wife-owned craft brewery dedicated to their mantra, “Chaos is Brewing.” The team experiments to create fun one-offs for those who visit the brewery, but also distributes some of their 49 beers to area watering holes. A special perk for your DD is Chaos Mountain Root Beer, a non-alcoholic swill that’s on tap when there’s an empty tap. Cool, huh?

The old Hampton Looms woolen mill has a new life as a craft brewery and restaurant. Revitalized industrial spaces aren’t new, but we love the mood at Beale’s, which opened in June 2017. It’s a family- and pet-friendly destination that goes above and beyond with games, outdoor spaces, and excellent BBQ and appetizers, too. Try their four flagship beers to find your fave. We recommend Black.

Vinton’s hometown brewery is Twin Creeks, so named for its location between Glade and Tinker Creeks, Roanoke River tributaries. If you’re into drinking craft beer that gives a nod to the name of the brewery, try their Slow Water Porter (6% ABV American Porter) or Spring Water Kolsch (5.6% ABV German style Kolsch). Food trucks are on-site Thursday through Sunday, along with trivia on Thursdays, live music Friday and Saturday nights, and Vinyl Sundays every weekend.

Author: Casey L. Higgins

Casey L. Higgins is a writer, editor, content consultant, and social media strategist working in the realms of travel and small business. She's also a mom and wife living in and loving the mountains and valleys of Virginia. Casey previously wrote for Virginia is for Lovers and is excited to share her enthusiasm for family fun, outdoors, and culinary delights found in Virginia's Blue Ridge.